Chair with pivot function and method of making

Abstract

Some embodiments relate to a chair including a base, a hub, and a seat frame. The hub is supported by the base and includes first and second side mounts and first and second covers. The first side mount is positioned on a first side of the chair and includes a back portion and a bottom portion. The first cover is coupled to the first side mount to define a first channel with the first side mount. The seat frame includes a first lateral member having a lower portion and an upper portion that is pivotally coupled to the back portion of the first side mount and is configured to angulate relative to the lower portion. The lower portion of the first lateral member is slidably received in the first channel such that two sides and a bottom of the lower portion received within the first channel are substantially hidden.

The following is claimed: 
     
       1. A chair comprising:
 a base configured to support the chair on a surface; 
 a hub supported by the base and including:
 a first side mount positioned on a first side of the chair, the first side mount including a back portion and a bottom portion, 
 a first cover coupled to the first side mount to define a first channel with the first side mount, 
 a second side mount positioned on a second side of the chair, the second side mount including a back portion and a bottom portion, and 
 a second cover coupled to the second side mount to define a second channel with the second side mount; and 
 
 a seat frame including:
 a first lateral member including a lower portion and an upper portion that is pivotally coupled to the back portion of the first side mount and is configured to angulate relative to the lower portion, the lower portion of the first lateral member being slidably received in the first channel such that two sides and a bottom of the lower portion received within the first channel are substantially hidden from view, and 
 a second lateral member including a lower portion and an upper portion that is pivotally coupled to the back portion of the second side mount and is configured to angulate relative to the lower portion, the lower portion of the second lateral member being slidably received in the second channel such that two sides and a bottom of the lower portion received within the second channel are substantially hidden from view. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The chair of  claim 1 , wherein the upper and lower portions of the first lateral member are pivotally coupled. 
     
     
       3. The chair of  claim 2 , wherein the upper and lower portions of the first lateral member are pivotally coupled at a location generally corresponding to a position underneath a hip joint of a user. 
     
     
       4. The chair of  claim 1 , wherein the upper and lower portions of the first lateral member are flexibly coupled. 
     
     
       5. The chair of  claim 1 , wherein the first side mount defines a substantially L-shaped side profile. 
     
     
       6. The chair of  claim 1 , wherein the back and bottom portions of the first side mount define an acute angle with one another in side profile. 
     
     
       7. The chair of  claim 1 , wherein a bottom portion of the first channel defines a slide surface and the lower portion of the first lateral member has a bushing that rests on top of the slide surface to be slidably received against the slide surface. 
     
     
       8. The chair of  claim 7 , wherein the slide surface is configured such that when the upper portion of the first lateral member is pivoted backward relative to the back portion of the first side mount, the lower portion of the first lateral member slides forward and is raised vertically on the first slide surface. 
     
     
       9. The chair of  claim 1 , wherein the seat frame further includes a front cross member coupling the lower portions of the first and second lateral members together and a back cross member coupling the upper portions of the first and second lateral members together, the back cross member, the front cross member, the first lateral member, and the second lateral member, combining to define an open center. 
     
     
       10. The chair of  claim 9 , further comprising an elastic mesh coupled directly to the first and second lateral members, the elastic mesh being held under tension between the first and second lateral members to support a user's weight. 
     
     
       11. The chair of  claim 10 , wherein the first lateral member, the second lateral member, the upper cross mount, and the lower cross mount are configured to resist a compressive force exerted by the mesh on the seat frame. 
     
     
       12. The chair of  claim 1 , further comprising an elastic seat member secured under tension between the first and second lateral members, the first and second side mounts supporting the first and second lateral members against a compressive force exerted by the elastic seat member on the first and second lateral members. 
     
     
       13. The chair of  claim 1 , further comprising a seat member that is integrally formed with the upper portions of the first and second lateral members. 
     
     
       14. The chair of  claim 1 , further comprising a seat member that is integrally formed with the lower portions of the first and second lateral members. 
     
     
       15. The chair of  claim 1 , wherein the upper and lower portions of the first and second lateral members are each substantially inflexible, molded, polymeric components. 
     
     
       16. The chair of  claim 1 , further comprising a spring secured between the lower portion of the first lateral member and the first side mount. 
     
     
       17. The chair of  claim 1 , further comprising a torsion spring secured between the upper portion of the first lateral member and the first side mount. 
     
     
       18. The chair of  claim 1 , further comprising a torsion spring secured between the upper and lower portions of the first lateral member. 
     
     
       19. A chair comprising:
 a base configured to support the chair on a surface; 
 a hub supported by the base and including:
 a first side mount positioned on a first side of the chair and having a back portion that extends substantially vertically and a bottom portion that extends substantially horizontally and defines a first channel, 
 a second side mount positioned on a second side of the chair and having a back portion that extends substantially vertically and a bottom portion that extends substantially horizontally and defines a second channel, and 
 
 a seat frame including:
 a first lateral member including a lower portion and an upper portion coupled to the lower portion such that lower portion and the upper portion are configured for angulation relative to one another, the upper portion of the first lateral member being pivotally coupled to the first side mount at a fixed pivot and the lower portion of the first lateral member being slidably received in the first channel, the first channel defining a slide surface and the lower portion of the first lateral member having a bushing slidably received against the slide surface such that the lower portion of the first lateral member is raised vertically as the upper portion of the first lateral member is pivoted backward relative to the first side mount about the fixed pivot, and 
 a second lateral member including a lower portion and an upper portion coupled to the lower portion such that lower portion and the upper portion are configured for angulation relative to one another, the lower portion of the second lateral member being slidably received in the second channel. 
 
 
     
     
       20. A chair comprising:
 a base configured to support the chair on a surface; 
 a hub supported by the base and including:
 a first side mount positioned on a first side of the chair and having a back portion that extends substantially vertically and a bottom portion that extends substantially horizontally and defines a first channel, 
 a second side mount positioned on a second side of the chair and having a back portion that extends substantially vertically and a bottom portion that extends substantially horizontally and defines a second channel, 
 
 a seat frame including:
 a first lateral member including a lower portion and an upper portion coupled to the lower portion such that lower portion and the upper portion are configured for angulation relative to one another, the lower portion of the first lateral member being slidably received in the first channel, and 
 a second lateral member including a lower portion and an upper portion coupled to the lower portion such that lower portion and the upper portion are configured for angulation relative to one another, the lower portion of the second lateral member being slidably received in the second channel, 
 
 means for raising the lower portions of the first and second lateral members vertically as the upper portion of the first lateral member is pivoted backward about a fixed pivot location relative to the back portion of the first side mount; and 
 means for supporting a user's weight between the first and second lateral members. 
 
     
     
       21. The chair of  claim 20 , wherein the means for raising includes a slide surface and a bushing slidably received against the slide surface. 
     
     
       22. The chair of  claim 21 , wherein the bushing is coupled to the lower portion of the first lateral member. 
     
     
       23. The chair of  claim 20 , wherein the means for raising includes a slot formed into the lower portion of the first lateral member and a rider coupled to the bottom portion of the first side mount, the rider being slidably received in the slot. 
     
     
       24. The chair of  claim 20 , wherein the means for supporting includes a mesh stretched between the first and second lateral members. 
     
     
       25. The chair of  claim 20 , wherein the means for supporting includes a seat secured between the first and second lateral members and a backrest secured between the first and second lateral members.